Just noticed this on my Vredestein Freccia Tricomp with under 500Km on them. There is splitting on various spots to top side rubber as pictured. Is this normal or safe to ride on or should I be looking for new tires.
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How old are they?
How much UV exposure?

Looks like nothing to me.

The good thing about tire tread cap cracks is that they tend to be slow in development. When the casing cords start showing in a significant way or the tread cap has a big flap do something quick. Until then just budget for a replacement tire and buy one as you can, before the just mentioned issues show. Andy

This is a Michelin tire, not a Conti.

Stuff like that is fairly common, especially if a tire is ridden slightly underinflated, or by a heavy rider.

However, it's not of any concern, since the rubber is just a cover over the tires structure. The only issue may be that over time, the bond between the tread rubber and tire body will weaken, allowing the tread to break off in pieces. That doesn't happen overnight, and progresses slowly so you have plenty of time to decide when you want to call it.

Those of riding high end tubulars are used to tread separation on old tires, and learn to glue it back down with rebber cement.

And this means what? Andy

Replace the tire .

Thanks for all the info guys this is section is just a blessing.

The tires were purchased last summer and put in use late last fall. My bike is kept in a dimly lit garage and I only ride from late spring to end of fall, so really don't know why both tires are doing this so quickly.


I weight 160lbs and pump my tires up to 120psi every ride. They are rated for 110-160psi... Should I have pumped them up higher.

All in all I will be picking up spares when my saddle comes back in stock. Ill just keep an eye on these

No need to change anything, though if this is in the rear tire another 10psi might be OK. i said it happens especially with underinflation, but it also happens when all is right in the world. For example the tire may have a woven belt under the tread, and the crack is at the edge of the belt, kind of like how a black top road may develop cracks at the concrete road bed edge.

it's fine to keep an eye on it, but don't lose any sleep because it's not an indicator of anything to worry about.

That comforting to hear, was worried and took it really easily while riding yesterday. I'm still wondering how this happened to such a new set of tires. Most reviews spoke really highly about their durability and such.

There's n o need to wonder because it's fairly normal. It'll happen if/where there's some change in flex properties. It's similar to how roads will form parallel cracks where the blacktop overhangs the road bed, and you see it everywhere.

It's possible that your tire has a belt under the tread, and the crack is at the edge of that, or where there's a sudden change in tread thickness. But until/unless the tread starts peeling away from the tire body, it's just one of those things.